South Carolina reports 9 NCAA violations

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  South Carolina's athletic department reported nine NCAA secondary violations in the past six months, including one when a staffer bet dinner on a game not involving the Gamecocks.

"I don't even know if it was a college game," athletic spokesman Steve Fink said Thursday.

The violation took place Jan. 22 and was considered the most serious one of those detailed in South Carolina's report.

Such violations are submitted to the NCAA's enforcement staff for processing and review. The rest of the infractions are sent to the Southeastern Conference office, which forwards a list to the NCAA at the end of the academic year.

The South Carolina athletic department also said there were five positive tests for marijuana among the 207 screens for drugs abuse it conducted between January and June.

The NCAA performed six drug tests on Gamecock athletes during that time, all which came back negative, according to the school. South Carolina releases details of its secondary violations and drug-testing results after each semester.

The school did not release the names of coaches, staffers or athletes involved. It said all requests to restore eligibility to Gamecock athletes were granted by the NCAA.

Of the eight secondary violations, two involved the recently revamped women's basketball program.

On March 26, South Carolina's compliance office found that "senior participation awards exceeded maximum value," according to the school's report. The awards were financial.

Less than two weeks later, South Carolina said women's basketball coaches attended an event for "recruiting purposes outside of the permissible period." No details about the event were provided.

Susan Walvius, who coached South Carolina's women's basketball team for 11 years, announced her resignation in April. In May, Temple's Dawn Staley was hired, and she did not retain any of the women's basketball assistants.

Another infraction involved Ray Tanner's baseball team, with one player practicing beyond the 14-day limit without being added to the squad list. In men's track, some members were given training table meals without having bought a meal plan.